Two years ago...
It was the day Discord has been waiting for. Finally, he was going on a date with the mare of his dreams. Her mane was a beautiful golden, her coat orange like the sunset. Her eyes were shiny, emerald green. Her name was Applejack, the pony who was beautiful without trying.
Normally, Discord wouldn’t fall for a mare who was nearly his exact opposite. But, Applejack somehow captured his heart. Discord knew she was something special in the labyrinth when she tried to resist his spells.
Discord conjured a shapeless mirror, and examined his reflection. He snapped his talons, and a nice, black suit appeared on him. It had a white undershirt, and red bow tie.
“Hmm… Too fancy, and plain,” muttered Discord to himself. He flashed into an orange suit. “Nah, I already used this.” He then flashed a casual, brown shirt, that was still nice. “Perfect. Rustic, and casual, just like how Applejack likes it.” He gave himself a toothy grin. “Time to get the mare you’ve been after.” But, he was nervous. Would Applejack enjoy the date? Discord couldn’t be sure. He gulped, and flashed in front of the red barn.
He knocked on the door, and a little yellow filly answered. She glared up at Discord.
“So, ya are here for Applejack?” asked the filly, scowling.
“Yeah, yeah, and you are?” asked Discord, narrowing his eyes.
“Ah’m Applebloom! Her sister! Anypony who actually knew her would know that,” said Applebloom.
“Don’t question my love for Applejack, Appblossom,” said Discord. He crossed his arms.
“Applebloom,” replied Applebloom.
“Applebloom! Is Discord here?” called the deep, but feminine voice of Applejack. Discord’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, that thing’s here,” grumbled Applebloom, walking away from the door. “Wish he wasn’t…”
“I heard that!” called Discord. Applejack took Applebloom’s place, and all the breath was taken away from Discord. She wore a simple brown dress, the same shade as Discord’s body. She wore a simple, red rose in her mane, and kept her mane the usual way she did. Any other stallion would have said she didn’t look pretty enough, but to Discord she was perfect. Applejack giggled, snapping Discord out of his trance.
“Somepony’s thinkin’ I look nice, obviously,” said Applejack.
“Er, uh, yeah,” admitted Discord. He cleared his throat. “You look pre- er beautiful.” Applejack gave a throaty chuckle.
“Come on, Romeo, we have a date,” said Applejack, locking her right hoof around Discord’s paw. “Where ya takin’ me?”
“To a beautiful place, but it will never compare to your beauty,” replied Discord. Applejack blushed.
“Ah don’t care about bein’ beautiful,” said Applejack.
“I know, but I’m going to keep reminding you,” Discord smirked.
“Grr, ya want a bruise?” asked Applejack, but her smile made her threat pointless.
“Aww, you wouldn’t hurt your coltfriend Dissy, would you?” Discord gave her a pout.
“Of course not,” Applejack smiled warmly at Discord.
“That’s good enough for me,” said Discord. “Let’s go, shall we?” Discord snapped his free hand, and they appeared at the gazebo, which rested on the highest hill in Sweet Apple Acres, isolated from all ponies, the perfect place for couples to be alone. Discord snapped his talons again, and rose vines with roses the same shade of red as the one in Applejack’s mane wrapped around the poles supporting the gazebo, and created a ceiling of green and red at the top. In the center, a pink and blue checkered picnic blanket lay, with a double candle lit.
“This… This is amazing!” exclaimed Applejack.
“I would hope so,” said Discord. “I want this evening to be perfect for my favorite mare. What would you like for dinner?”
“How ‘bout some apple pie and apple cider?” asked Applejack.
“Pfft, figures,” said Discord, rolling his eyes.
“What’s that supposed-” Discord snapped his talons, and two apple pies lay before them, and a bottle of cider each. “Thanks, Discord.” She took a bite of her apple pie, and sighed blissfully. “Ya better not steal my business. This is the best pie Ah ever had! Don’t tell Granny Smith.” Discord smirked.
“It’s only natural I can make the best things,” said Discord, lowering his eyelids, and wagging his eyebrows. Applejack blushed deeply.
“D-Discord! We shouldn’t… talk about that until we’re…” She pleadingly looked into Discord’s eyes.
“I was just kidding!” exclaimed Discord, putting his arms in the air in surrender. He took a sip of his cider.
“O-Okay…” They continued a wonderful night.
Present…
Discord snapped out of his flashback. He lay in a tree on Sweet Apple Acres. He had to do something important, but he was broken in two, one half of his heart to go to one mare, and the other. He was about to make his final decision by coming here.
One month ago…
Discord smiled, and appeared in front of Fluttershy’s cottage. He was very excited for their Tuesday Tea, as Fluttershy and her friends have been gone for a whole month on a vacation with Celestia.
But, something has been confusing Discord. During that month, he had been missing Fluttershy and thinking about her more than his marefriend Applejack. The thought made him angry with himself. He was supposed to love Applejack! She was Discord’s marefriend! It wasn’t right to be hitting on somepony else. It probably was just lust, as Fluttershy was indeed very pretty… And her kindness touched his heart, and her caring nature made his heart soar.
Discord slapped himself, literally, by pulled off one of his arms, and the arm acted out on its own and slapped Discord hard on the face. Discord made the arm connect to his body, and then he knocked on the door. The door creaked open slowly, and revealed a teal orb.
“H-Hello?” asked a soft voice. Fluttershy opened the door fully as she realized it was Discord. “Oh! Hello, Discord!”
“Hello, my dearest Fluttershy,” said Discord, giving her a toothy grin. His eyes widened and he frowned as… Did Fluttershy blush?
“Oh, I can’t be your dearest,” said Fluttershy. “That role is taken by Applejack.” She failed to hide the jealousy in her voice. Discord smirked. Fluttershy obviously wanted to be his favorite friend.
“Here, let’s keep it a secret,” said Discord. “You are my dearest mare.” Fluttershy turned red.
“Oh, um, thanks,” said Fluttershy.
“Let’s go in, shall we?” asked Discord. Oh, Fluttershy was pure adorable when she blushed. Discord hated to admit it, but he was after this mare, as well as Applejack. When he thought about Applejack, he felt like he was in chains. Was… Was he wishing they weren’t together?
“Okay, I will get the tea,” Fluttershy headed out into the kitchen, and Discord plopped down on the green couch laying in her living room. He heard cabinets shutting, and he saw something in the corner of his eye. A little silver key glistened, and Discord picked it up.
“I wonder what this is for…” Discord mumbled to himself. Then, he saw a little, pastel pink diary. “Huh… Maybe she won’t be mad if I take a little peek…” He opened it, and his jaw dropped. “ ‘I wish my friend, Applejack, wasn’t dating him… I love him so much, and yet I was too late! Discord didn’t know of my feelings, and always talked about Applejack, though it wasn’t his fault he liked her. Applejack is so beautiful. But she is a bitch for stealing my stallion! Oh, I’m sorry, diary, I shouldn’t have said that, but it had to get out.” He blushed wildly, and didn’t notice as Fluttershy came in.
“Would you like some sugar in your teaaahh,” she trailed off as she saw the diary in Discord’s hands. She blushed, and dropped the tea. “Oh, um, I have to go!” She started to run to her room, before Discord appeared in front of her. He grabbed her and kissed her. Fluttershy moaned, but then shoved Discord away.
“Um, isn’t that cheating?” asked Fluttershy.
“Remember who I am? The Lord of Chaos. There is nothing to cheat about if there are no rules to me,” said Discord. “And you’re not cheating. I know you don’t have a coltfriend. Let’s keep it… Our little secret.” Discord snapped his talons, making all the worry disappear from Fluttershy’s mind. Fluttershy would not feel so bad, if he erased that feeling. Fluttershy smiled.
“Our secret,” purred Fluttershy, pecking him on the cheek.
Present...
Discord found Applejack bucking trees in the orchard. He sighed in bliss as her blonde mane flew back as she bucked the trees, covering her eyes, until the beautiful emeralds shone out. Discord closed his eyes. Watching her would only break him more. He teleported himself on top of one tree.
Two weeks ago…
Discord grinned, and gave Fluttershy a peck on the cheek, not noticing the pair of green eyes staring into the window. The door slammed open.
“DISCORD!” yelled Applejack. “ARE YA CHEATIN’ ON MEH?”
“N-No, no!” said Discord, raising his arms. “What would ever give you that idea?” Fluttershy hid behind Discord, not daring to peek out.
“Ah saw ya kiss Fluttershy! How could ya?” asked Applejack, tears in the corners of her eyes.
“It was only a friendly peck on the cheek!” exclaimed Discord.
“Ah know yer lyin’! Fluttershy, how could ya take mah coltfriend?” Applejack scowled. Discord snapped his talons, and Applejack’s expression became blank, and her eyes swirled.
“You have seen nothing but two friends coming together, visiting,” whispered Discord. “You came in to say hello, and you are going to go back to the barn, and forget about this.” Applejack nodded, and Discord snapped his talons, snapping her out of the trance.
“Uh, how did Ah get here?” asked Applejack, and she smiled at Fluttershy and Discord. “Oh, uh, howdy Discord and Fluttershy! Can’t wait for our next date!”
“I didn’t like that you put a spell on her,” scolded Fluttershy.
“I know, but-”
“I know it was to continue your relationship and ours,” said Fluttershy. “But that was too close.”
“W-What are you saying?” asked Discord.
“Well, you have to pick, me or Applejack,” said Fluttershy, narrowing her eyes. “I’m sorry if this hurts you, but it has to be done.”
“I-I pick… I pick…” Discord thought.
“I will make the decision for you,” said Fluttershy, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. She hung her head. “Oh, why did I decide to help you cheat on one of my best friends? You can have Applejack… As much as I love you, I can’t be selfish. You and Applejack share a pure love.”
“N-No!” exclaimed Discord, reaching out to her. Fluttershy pulled back. Regret shone in her eyes.
“I’m doing this because I love you,” said Fluttershy, turning her head away, tears falling out of her eyes.
“I will have you one day,” said Discord, and he teleported away.
Present…
He had disappeared for two weeks, and countless times Fluttershy and Applejack had come to the portal to his pocket dimension, only for them to not be allowed to come in. Discord had used his magic to keep them out. Well, he made his decision as he remembered that painful day.
“Applejack,” said Discord calmly, and Applejack jumped.
“AH!” screamed Applejack. She smiled, and turned to Discord. “Nice job. But, can ya tell me why ya shut yerself in yer dimension and refused to let me in?”
“That’s what I came here for,” said Discord. “Here, how about I get us to the barn?”
“Nah, we can talk here,” said Applejack. She tilted her head in concern. “So, what’s wrong? We can work through it together.”
“We can’t work through it,” replied Discord.
“Beg pardon?” asked Applejack.
“Let me rephrase that. We can’t work through it because we aren’t going to be together,” Discord felt bad, but he knew if he beat around the bush, it would cause more pain.
“What?” Applejack’s eyes widened. “But… We had somethin’ special… If ya were bothered, ya should’ve told me!”
“That would only cause a fight,” replied Discord. “Now really, I should be going…”
“No!” snapped Applejack. “Ah need you to stay here until ya tell me a very good reason that we shouldn’t be together.” Discord’s heart stopped. The only reason would break Applejack’s heart further, and make her angry at her friend.
“Well, um, I don’t like you anymore?” said Discord, wincing at his lie. He knew Applejack instantly caught his lie.
“Why are ya lyin’?” asked Applejack. “The reason can’t be that bad!”
“Applejack, why are you fighting for me?” asked Discord.
“Obviously because Ah love ya and I don’t wanna breakup!” replied Applejack.
“Well, you could find somepony else,” said Discord.
“No, Ah can’t! I love you and you only!” Applejack’s voice quivered. “And why you are leaving me, I am so confused. I thought you loved me too…” Discord wanted to wrap up around her and stroke her beautiful golden mane, begging for her to forget about this, but he loved Fluttershy. He needed Fluttershy. So, Applejack, he still loved, but as a crush to friend now.
“I can’t tell you!” said Discord.
“And why not?” asked Applejack. She sniffed, and Discord’s heart filled with sadness. He was making her cry. So, he had to get the truth out, whether he wanted to at not.
“Because I love Fluttershy!” blurted out Discord. Applejack was silent.
“W-What?!” yelled Applejack, stomping her hoof on the ground.
“You heard me,” said Discord harshly. He cringed as he realized it came out more hostile than he intended it to be. Discord took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “I love Fluttershy.” Applejack was silent. Then, the corners of her mouth twitched, and formed a scowl.
“Ya promised ya would love me, and only me!” snapped Applejack. “Ya didn’t go kissin’ her didya?” Discord’s guilty expression told her his answer. “No… Oh my Celestia…”
“Look, let me explain-”
“NO!” screamed Applejack. “Not after cheatin’ on me with one of mah best friends! Well, she is no friend of mine anymore, encouraging my coltfriend to cheat on me.”
“It’s because I put a spell on her to not make her think about how much it would hurt you,” admitted Discord. “It was wrong, and she snapped out of the spell that day you came, and caught me kiss her.”
“Ah don’t remember that,” said Applejack, raising an eyebrow. Discord’s talons snapped, and then a harsh, cruel memory seeped into her mind. She clenched her jaw, and it took all her willpower to not punch Discord in the face. “Ya took mah memories… That is plain evil.” Discord winced at the word.
“I didn’t want to hurt you,” said Discord.
“The brutal truth is better than a merciful lie,” said Applejack. “Mah Ma and Pa have told me that all the time when Ah was growin’ up. Ah wish I was able to face the truth then, because now Ah know Ah’m ten times more angry!”
“I really regret what I did!” pleaded Discord. “Please, can we still be friends?”
“Ah don’t know,” said Applejack, turning away. “Probably not. YA CHEATED ON ME WITH MAH BEST FRIEND YA PUT A SPELL ON AND ERASED MY MEMORY, AND LATER BROKE MAH HEART BY BREAKIN’ UP WITH ME FOR ANOTHER MARE!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Sorry doesn’t fix everything! GET OFF MAH FARM!” Applejack raced over to Discord, determined to hurt him as physically as Discord did to her mentally. But, Discord vanished before she was able to reach him.
“Ah hate you so much,” said Applejack to the empty air where Discord was. She sat on the ground, taking in sharp breaths. She was so angry at Fluttershy as well. What friend would just do that? What she said was a lie, though. She still loved Discord, as she always will. She sobbed, and snarled. Applejack kicked over a bucket of apples, and started to head back to the farm.
Discord appeared in the center of the Everfree Forest. He crumpled to the ground, and broke into sobs. It hurt so much, to just have to choose between two mares. Alas, it was only life.